Day 1096.
Ukraine
I was sitting in church on Sunday morning in the middle of worship, thinking of my friends in Ukraine who went to church after a night of sirens, drones, missiles and destruction. Both groups were worshipping God. A pastor of the church I attended spoke of suffering. I couldn’t shake loose from thoughts of a church that had been rocketed early Sunday morning.
It’s been three years. 1096 days of devastation, bloodshed, and terror.
That’s only since February 24, 2022.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, fought in the Donbas for eight years and then invaded from Belarus on February 24, 2022. A “special military operation” that was expected to see President Zelensky flee and Kyiv surrender in three days.
Ukraine rose up behind Zelensky’s courageous leadership – “I don’t need a ride. I need ammunition.” On February 23, 2022 he told Russia, “If your army attacks us, they will see our faces, not our backs.”
Natali Sevriukova reacts next to her house following a rocket attack the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Russian troops poured across the borders destroying everything and everyone in their path. Never forget the Bucha massacre, Irpin, Mariupol, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson.
80,000 women and children walked across the border to Poland in 48 hours to escape the war.
Ukrainian women and children after crossing the Slovak-Ukrainian border into Ubla, eastern Slovakia, on Friday. Photo: Peter Lazar/AFP via Getty Images
Who can forget the image of the Ukrainian boy in tears, carrying a small bag, escaping across the border with his mom.
This was my first post about Ukraine on March 12, 2022. On The Road of Lamentations
Mariupol, 2022
Drone Attacks
February 23, 2025 saw the largest drone attack since February 2022: 267 Iranian-made Shahid drones. Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Donetsk regions under guided aerial bombs, drones, artillery attacks. In Kryvyi Rih, ballistic missiles killed one person. Many of these are places where I connected with church leaders.
We’ve witnessed the strength, resiliency, courage, and ingenuity of Ukrainians. In particular, the churches in Ukraine who have stepped up to deliver 80% of the humanitarian aid. Before the war, Ukraine was the brightest light of the gospel of Jesus in Europe.
The Light of Europe
The war affected the Ukrainian church in the same way persecution affected the church in the 1st century Roman world. Ukrainians were scattered throughout Europe in 2022 and everywhere they landed, they planted churches. There is a Ukrainian-led revival in Europe. 
Ukraine was not in my future three years ago.
Some of my friends in ministry (Mike Love, Steve Hertzog, Patti Miller) travelled and worked there in the past two decades. Our daughter-in-law, Angie, was in western Ukraine with a missions team years ago. They loved what Ukraine was all about. One friend purchased an apartment in Ukraine, planning for a preferred future. I heard about Ed Dickson and his humanitarian work through Loads of Love. As well, Dennis Scraba and his work through Amigo.
Canada and Prime Minister Trudeau are loved by Ukrainians for our stedfast support in the last 1096 days. Our Prime Minister will be in Kyiv on the anniversary of February 24th, leading the G7 nations.
But going to Ukraine? Why?
My life was occupied with family and working with Canadian churches.
Invitation
And then I was invited to fill in for Steve Hertzog at pastors’ conferences in December 2023. Jocelyn said, “Go!” and the rest is history.
Jocelyn and I were privileged to travel the world in ministry: Thailand, South Korea, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Russia, and England. All were wonderful experiences, but Ukraine holds a unique place in our hearts.
I met Vadim, Tanya, Sergei, Alexei, Marina, David, Carolyn, Pasha, Martin, Lena, Oleg, Yuri, Roma, Nastia, Alina, Masha, Olya, Sveta, Yulia, Bogdana, Dima, Natasha, Veronika. 
Make no mistake, Ukraine is the front line defender of peace in Europe and the world against Russian aggression. She has friends but stands alone in too many ways.
“We all need peace: Ukraine, Europe, America, everyone in the world.” President Zelensky
What lies ahead for Ukraine, Europe, and Canada?
Jocelyn and I will have an update about Ukraine in the next two weeks. Stay tuned.
Please share this post and join the conversation and post a comment below. Thank you.
My Writing Journey About Ukraine
What Your Generosity is Doing in Ukraine
Ukrainian Young Moms Fleeing War
Loads of Love Makes a Difference
Ukraine: Freedom and Valor Fight On
Cory Jones: Marathon man For Ukraine
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. I have been shocked at the lying coming out of Trump’s mouth. The whole world knows that Putin started this war. It is no surprise that he continues to perpetuate the sentiments of his dictator idol, Putin. I can only hope & pray that people come to their senses. But, some days it seems like a far reach. I have to turn it all off some days…just to protect my own sanity. It’s not good to listen to the “noise” 24/7. It can be damaging to one’s soul. Disappointed that humans can behave in such destructive & despicable ways to each other. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. Have a great week! ❤️ I always look forward to your blogs. Keep on, keeping on.
I hear you about turning off the noise. That’s good for our souls.
Continuing to pray for Ukraine and its citizens. Praying for peace and protection for each person affected by the war.
Thank you, Raquel.
Thank you Pastor Bob for your touching, truthful stories of fellow followers of Jesus, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. May the Lord guide us in ways of truth and godliness in these days. and may His glory be seen, His victory proclaimed.
Thank you, Dave. Focusing on advancing the gospel is about the only way to stay sane in a topsy-turvy world.
Hi Bob
Thank you for another empathetic and penetrating
RevWords. Thank you for keeping the Ukrainian people in the forefront of our minds. Thank you helping us see the people and placing the focus on them rather than the politics.
Thank you for reminding us that everyone regardless of what side they are on has a name, a face and an eternal spirit. They have all been created and loved by their Heavenly Father.
Thank you for celebrating the army of light that is combatting the bad news with the Good News. Thank you for reminding us that the light shines brightest in the darkest places and that Good News trumps the bad news every time.
Your sub heading was “What lies ahead”.. well that is easy.. Tumps lies and the part of the world believing him.. where is this all going I ask..
buy wait there more!!
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
I need to anchor myself in His word.. for world stuff and self stuff..
Thank you, Phil. I appreciate your engagement and feedback. You touched on all the most important things that ministry does. Keep up the good work with leaders in Canada.
Amen to that. I think 75 million Americans are savvy to Trump. Perhaps over the next 4 years many more will see for themselves. I have a feeling the 1st century Christians also faced lies of the Emperors. No social media, but far more deadly. They suffered with bloodshed.
Thank you for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians. I pray for peace, may the differences between Russia and Ukraine be reconciled. I pray for Ukrainian Christians, for those who face hunger, for those who face danger on both sides of the conflict.
I feel sad for regular Russians too who are forced to fight in conflict that Putin orchestrated to meet his goal of weakening Ukraine’s interest in joining NATO. Putin demands absolute loyalty. If people defy him in any way they risk paying with their life. He kills, blackmails or bribes people to do his bidding. And now it seems that Trump wants to become an ally of Russia. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad is an understatement. The alliances are shifting. God is unchanging. God wins. Good wins.